Premenstrual
Syndrome (PMS) is a complex problem involving symptoms of mood swings and
hyperirritability, depression, headaches, edema, bloating, breast tenderness,
back pain, constipation, diarrhea, and food cravings (esp. chocolate and sugar)
which arise 7-14 days before the start of the menses.

According
to the World Health Organization (WHO), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and
acupuncture have proven to be a successful way of controlling PMS.

In
TCM, the body is looked at as a system of organs and their pathways. Through
these pathways (meridians) cosmic energy (qi)
flows freely and harmoniously. When this balance is disrupted, pain or other
disease symptoms occur.

According
to Traditional Chinese Medicine, PMS can be characterized as several different
patterns of energy imbalance.

1)Liver
qi stagnation:
The liver rules the emotions and regulates the smooth flow of energy throughout
the whole body. When the liverís function is impaired, pain, anxiety, mood
swings, and irritability may result. This pattern correlates with PMS-A
(anxiety) which has high estrogen and low progesterone.

2)Spleen
qi and blood deficiency:
The spleen is responsible for transforming food into blood. The unstable
emotions of the liver attacking the spleen may impair food transformation, which
may lead to increased appetite, fatigue, dizziness, headache, and palpitations.
This pattern correlates with PMS-C (craving) which has decreased prostaglandin
E1.

3)Spirit
(Shen) disturbance with heart blood
deficiency:
The heart governs the blood and is the house of the spirit. If the heartís
blood is undernourished, by the spleen, the spirit becomes confused, which leads
to depression, forgetfulness, and insomnia. This pattern correlates with PMS-D
(depression) which has elevated adrenal androgens.

4)Dysfunction
of the Penetrating and Conception Vessels: These special
meridians, running along the frontal midline of the human body, regulate the
menstrual cycles and fluid distribution. When these meridians are undernourished
fluid retention, swollen extremities, edema, weight gain, breast tenderness, and
abdominal bloating may result. This pattern correlates with PMS-H
(hyperhydration) which has excess aldosterone.

PMS
can be effectively controlled with acupuncture in conjunction with herbal
medicine, a carefully selected diet, qi gong (energetic exercise), and
meditation.

Allergy
is a hypersensitive reaction to intrinsically harmless antigens, most of
which being environmental. Studies show that one of every six Americans has a
severe allergy and that more than 20 million Americans have allergic reactions
to airborne allergens, such as cigarette smoke, house dust, and pollens.
Allergy can be divided into two types according to immune system reaction:
immediate (type I: antibody-mediated) and delayed (type II: cell-mediated).
Common allergy symptoms are bronchial congestion (asthma), rhinitis,
conjunctivitis (itchy or burning eyes), edema, fever, urticaria (rash),
headaches, fatigue, and vomiting. Severe allergic reactions can even cause
shock or death.

According
to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization
(WHO), acupuncture has proven to be a successful way of controlling allergy
and its related symptoms. Clinical studies have proven patients to be free of
symptoms in about 10 treatments at one treatment per week.

Allergy suffers should
also avoid certain foods and going outside when pollen counts are high.
The more oneís system is challenged, the greater the chance of disorder.

Many people are opting for
acupuncture over allergy shots because they have been unsuccessful with
drugs due to side effects or reactions with other medications. Others seek
only natural therapies and use medication as a last resort. Acupuncture
can be used alone or in combination with conventional drugs. If
patientís start feeling better, they should tell their doctor, who might
modify their medication dosage. Ultimately, patients might be able to get
off allergy medications.

According
to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and clinical studies, Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture have proven to be a successful way of
controlling fibromyalgia.

In
TCM, the body is looked at as a system of organs and their pathways. Through
these pathways (meridians) cosmic energy (qi)
flows freely and harmoniously. When this balance is disrupted, pain or other
disease symptoms occur.

According
to Traditional Chinese Medicine, fibromyalgia can be characterized as several
different patterns of energy imbalance:

Heat:
consumes fluid, moves upward, and disturbs blood. If heat disturbs the blood,
then there may be undernourished tendons and muscles, spasm, stiffness, skin
ulcers, fever, HA, thirst, and constipation.

2)Qi and
bloodstagnation: This
is the retarded or obstructed flow of energy or blood. When qi and blood flow is impaired, pain results.

3)Liver
qi stagnation: The
liver stores blood, rules the emotions and regulates the smooth flow of energy
throughout the whole body. When the liverís function is impaired, pain,
anxiety, mood swings, and irritability may result.

4)Spleen
qi deficiency: The
spleen is responsible for transforming food into blood and opens into the
muscle tissue. The unstable emotions of the liver attacking the spleen may
impair food transformation, which may lead to increased appetite, fatigue,
dizziness, headache, and palpitations.

5)Blooddeficiency: Blood
nourishes the organs and tissues (muscles). When there is insufficient blood,
because of dysfunctional spleen or drastic emotional changes (liver qi
stagnation) that consume blood, dizziness, insomnia, palpitations, or
neuropathy (numbness) may result.

6)Kidney
qi and jing (essence) deficiency: The kidneys store essence,
dominate growth and reproduction, and govern the distribution of body fluid.
If kidney function is impaired, there may be chronic low back and knee pain,
chronic fatigue, urination problems, spermatorrhea, leukorrhea, and edema.

7)Dysfunction
of the Penetrating, Yin Motility,
and Yang Motility Vessels:
These special meridians, consisting of points on various organ meridians,
regulate the menstrual cycles, sleep, breathing, digestion, mental activity,
and body coordination. When these meridians are impaired, pain, leg weakness,
insomnia, anxiety, depression, gynecological disorders, and gastrointestinal
disturbances may result.

Fibromyalgia
can be effectively controlled with acupuncture in conjunction with herbal
medicine, a carefully selected diet, qi gong (energetic exercise), and
meditation.